Drones assist in the actions of the Plant Defense of RS

In late August, the Rio Grande do Sul State Department of Agriculture (Seapi/RS) received 15 drones equipped with thermal and infrared cameras, suitable for night flights, for use by the Department of Plant Protection (DDV/Seapi). The equipment was purchased with funds from an agreement signed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) to strengthen agricultural oversight in Rio Grande do Sul. 

Twenty Plant Protection officers participated in a 12-hour training course in Santa Maria, conducted in partnership with the UFSM Polytechnic College. Each Seapi Regional Supervisory Unit will receive a drone to be used for inspections of crops and orchards, especially in hard-to-reach areas. "This equipment will enhance crop protection efforts and guarantee security for producers, in addition to strengthening the fight against agricultural crimes," explains Ricardo Felicetti, director of DDV/Seapi.

The thermal camera can be used for pest inspection, helping to identify abnormalities in a given plant or area of ​​the crop. "This way, we avoid employees having to travel within crops, such as soybean and corn, when the plants are already mature, which is dangerous in terms of exposure to venomous animals or chemicals," explains the director.